Mary B. Kennedy

Title: Synaptic Nanomachines

 

Bio sketch: Dr.Kennedy's work focuses on synaptic plasticity and involves study of the functions of the signaling machinery in the postsynaptic density as well as the development of computer simulations of synaptic signaling to aid our understanding of how the large number of signaling molecules present at the synapse may work together. She is the Allen and Lenabelle Davis Professor of Biology at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) and has been on the faculty since 1981. She was awarded the Ipsen Foundation Prize in Neuronal Plasticity, together with Drs. Eckhart Gundelfinger and Morgan Sheng, in 2006. Mary Kennedy is the founding director of the Center for Integrative Study of Cell Regulation, at Caltech. The center scientists’ work include development of algorithms for identifying, locating, and determining the shape and orientation of key proteins in high-resolution cryo-electron microscopic images of cells, and creation of computer programs to simulate complex biochemical signaling pathways in neuronal synapses.  Dr. Kennedy is leading a program focusing on the modeling of biochemical mechanisms in brain synapses to better understand the chemistry of learning and memory.